Flagging the Future: Scenario-planning with Clem Sunter

It turns out that scenario-planning is not merely a technique that is used in warfare training or security systems as I had imagined before our discussion with Clem Sunter. Recently, we had the honor of meeting and chatting with the specialist speaker, facilitator, and best-selling author and former Anglo American executive – yes, this is still one person.

This conversation on scenario-planning demonstrated how one can best position oneself with forward-thinking and how to be better-equipped to handle the ever-changing scopes of whatever field one is involved in. Clem introduced us to the virtues of identifying potential red-flags in our practices or on the horizons of our respective fields – educational, political, economic, whatever the case may be, and illustrated how scenario-planning can serve as a heuristic tool that can improve the preparedness and efficiency of any organisation or individual’s practices and decision-making.

Clem was admirably patient and encouraging of questions points of clarification. Our conversation was dynamic and applicable to the spaces that we occupy as student-leaders and (soon-to-be) young professionals. I appreciated the wide-ranging experience that he has because whenever the conversation was steered towards a seemingly precarious arena, his many years of experience assured us that he’d already had some kind of encounter with that issue.

Most of all, I found the discussion accessible and quite thought-provoking in the sense that he forced us to conceptualise spaces or instances in which we can practically apply scenario-planning. I know this might sound a little bit like an appraisal at this rate, but I think it’s important to recognise and celebrate unique opportunities for constructive, intergenerational discussions and problem-solving. As many a mainstream media outlet may have already pointed out, we millennials thrive in spaces wherein there is room to collaborate, question and contribute in spaces where mutual learning happens.